Pilot

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Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit organization with 58,000 members nationwide. In its Air Force Auxiliary role, CAP performs about 85 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions. Its unpaid professionals also perform homeland security, disaster relief, and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state, and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to more than 24,000 young people currently participating in CAP's Cadet Program. Visit www.capvolunteernow.com for more information.

The Civil Air Patrol- Group 3 has fourteen units in the Tampa Bay area. Our units are dedicated to assisting our local community through a myriad of emergency services and operational missions. We also focus on teaching a new generation about aerospace and its impact on our future. A variety of other positions are available as well.

Location: 14 locations across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Pasco, Hernando & Citrus County

Duration: Ongoing

Time Commitment: 10-15 hours per month

Becoming a Civil Air Patrol (CAP) pilot can be rewarding and fulfilling, as a CAP pilot you are given the opportunity to fly aircraft that are part of the world’s largest fleet of Cessna aircraft. In CAP’s status as the auxiliary of the US Air Force, the Air Force provides funds for us to procure aircraft to replace our aircraft as they age and to preform maintenance. The Air Force expects all CAP members to respect the aircraft that we’ve been provide and treat them as your own. CAP’s fleet of aircraft primarily consists of C-172, C-182, C-205, GA-8, all of which you could get checked out in.

As a pilot, you’ll come into the organization as a VFR pilot but depending on experience you can quickly move from VFR pilot to transportation pilot to mission pilot. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with, and fly cadets as an orientation pilot if that’s what you enjoy. Some of these terms may be new to you but the information below will hopefully clear things up.

The checklist below provides the CAP Pilot qualification requirements to fly corporate aircraft
Checklist (Initial Requirements)

• Be a current, active CAP member at least 18 years of age
• Possess a valid FAA private, commercial, or airline transport pilot certificate
• Possess a valid FAA Class III or higher medical certificate (not required for gliders)
• Possess a current flight review IAW FAR 61.56

Checklist (After joining)

• Enter your flight documents in eServices as outlined in the section that discusses Operations Qualifications
• Complete the CAP Level 1 Course (Your Professional Development Officer can answer any questions you may have)
• Complete Cadet Protection Program Training (CPPT) (This will be completed as part of the Level 1 course above)
• Complete Aircraft Ground Handling (AGH)
• Coordinate an orientation flight with your mentor and unit leadership ◦The orientation flight can be flown as a proficiency profile

Qualifications:

• Strong writing, editing, and public speaking skills.
• Age 18 or older.
• Willingness to become a member of the Civil Air Patrol and comply with all internal regulations and procedures.
• Ability to pass a background check.
• Enthusiasm for community service and working with youth.

Benefits:

• Access to leadership training and opportunities.
• Formal recognition of training, qualification, and experience through CAP's Operations Specialty Track.
• Training and mentoring available from Wing, Region, and National members.
• Networking and training at Wing, Region, and National Conferences.

In addition to position-specific duties, all members are encouraged to participate in Civil Air Patrol’s Emergency Services, Aerospace Education, and Cadet Program missions. A wide variety of Emergency Services and other training opportunities are available if desired, though participation is not required.

To apply, please email a letter of interest to Lt. James Chamberland at jchamberland@flwg.us

• with the subject line "CAP-PILOT".